Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles recovered from a minor calf problem Sunday to earn the top score in the all-around competition — a scene that eerily mirrored what happened three years ago in Tokyo.
Biles finished with a time of 59.566, well ahead of defending Olympic champion and teammate Sunisa Lee, who waved to the crowd after her uneven bars dismount, her final event. She stepped off the podium, danced with good friend Jordan Chiles and has no plans to stop her quest for gold in Tuesday’s team final and Thursday’s individual all-around.
What happened in Tokyo was different: Biles withdrew from several finals to protect her safety, sparking an international debate about her mental health. That issue has done little to slow her down. Biles posted the best scores on floor and vault — both after her injury — as she tries to add to her career total of seven Olympic medals.
The same could be said of her teammates after the heavily favored Americans finished at 172.296, more than five points ahead of second-place Italy (166.861), as they seek what they call “redemption” after a second-place finish to Russia three years ago.
Now that Sunday is in the books, Team USA turns its attention to Tuesday, which will feature the women’s artistic gymnastics team final.
Here’s when you can watch the competition and other women’s gymnastics events during the Paris Games:
Tuesday July 30
Sport: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team Final*
When the event occurs: 11:15 a.m. (Central Time)
When it will be broadcast: Coverage begins on NBC 5 at 11:15 a.m. CT; it will be rebroadcast in prime time starting at 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, 1st of August
Sport: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics All-Around Final
When the event occurs: 11:15 a.m. (Central Time)
When it will be broadcast: Coverage begins at 11:15 a.m. CT on NBC 5 and again in primetime at 7 p.m. CT
SATURDAY, August 3
Sport: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Vault Final*
When the event occurs: 9:20 a.m. (Central Time)
When it will be broadcast: Coverage begins on E! starting at 8:15 a.m. CT; the final events will air on NBC 5 at 3:30 p.m. and again in primetime at 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 4th
Sport: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Uneven Bars Final
When the event occurs: 8:40 CT
When it will be broadcast: Coverage begins at 8 a.m. on NBC 5; it will re-air in prime time starting at 6 p.m. CT
Monday, 5 August
Sport: Women’s artistic gymnastics beam final
When the event occurs: 5:38 a.m. Central Time
When it will be broadcast: The broadcast begins at 4:45 a.m. CT on E! and on NBC 5 starting at 8:30 a.m. CT. It will re-air in prime time on NBC 5 starting at 7 p.m.
Sport: Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final
When the event occurs: 07:23 CT
When it will be broadcast: The broadcast begins at 4:45 a.m. CT on E! and on NBC 5 starting at 8:30 a.m. CT. It will re-air in prime time on NBC 5 starting at 7 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report..
